New to the UK with cancer

People worry about cancer for many reasons. You might have a family member or friend who has been diagnosed, or you may have symptoms that you’re worried about.

Find out about possible signs and symptoms of cancer or watch our animation in different languages on our “Do I have cancer?” page.

If you have symptoms that are ongoing, unexplained or unusual for you, speak to a GP (general doctor). GPs usually work in a local centre called a GP surgery or medical centre.

If you have a medical emergency:

• Call 999 for an ambulance if it is life-threatening.
• Call 111 for urgent medical advice when it is not life-threatening.
• Go to A&E (Accident and Emergency) at your nearest hospital.

Your doctor or healthcare team should give you care, support and information that meets your needs. This includes:

• communicating with you in the way that is right for you
• giving you information in a way you can understand and access.

You can tell your team what helps you most.

If you use another language

• A professional interpreter in the language you choose - Interpreters translate everything your doctor says to you, and everything you want to say back. If you would like an interpreter, tell your GP practice or hospital as soon as possible. The NHS should always use professional interpreters, rather than your family or friends. This means your family can focus on being there to support you to make a decision. It also means there is less risk of getting important information wrong.
• Translated health information - Your healthcare team should give you written information about health and care services in a language and format that you understand.

These services are free in the NHS. 

Find out more about getting support to understand health information. 

Helping your team understand your culture or background

To give you the best care and treatment, your healthcare team should:

• try to understand anything that might affect your decisions about your treatment and care
• make sure you are not disadvantaged, whatever your ethnicity or culture
• make sure that your culture or language do not prevent good communication and understanding between you and your cancer team.

There may be things to do with your culture or background that affect how you feel about your treatment or care. Sometimes we make assumptions about other people based on what we think we know about them. These ideas or biases can stop us from hearing what the other person really thinks or wants.

For example, a healthcare professional may assume you want to be treated in a certain way based on what they think your religion is. These ideas or biases can stop them from understanding what you really think or want.

If your healthcare team are not considering your needs

• Talk to someone from your team, if it feels safe and comfortable to do so. Sometimes they may not realise that there is a problem. Giving feedback about this may help your team make things right.
• Explain what is happening to someone you trust. You may get support from someone close to you or a healthcare professional you know well. Or you may want to talk to people in a cancer support group or our Online Community. Sometimes it is helpful to talk to people who understand or are in a similar situation.
• Give feedback or make a complaint. If you do not want to be identified, you can give feedback and complaints without giving your name.

You can talk to us in English or in another language.

To talk to us in another language:

• Call us for free on 0808 808 00 00 and say, in English, the language you want to use. 
• Send us a web chat message saying you would like an interpreter and the language you need. We will contact you.

Our Macmillan Support Line is open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. 

Our cancer support specialists can:

• answer questions about cancer or treatment
• talk to you about money and benefits
• listen if you need someone to talk to
• tell you about services in your area.

We offer support and information about work and cancer. This may help if you:

• are working and have cancer
• are caring for someone with cancer
• are self-employed
• employ someone who has cancer.

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan's Digital Content Editor team and Cancer Information Development team.

Accurate information helps you make informed choices. Rely on expert sources such as Macmillan Cancer Support, the NHS and your own healthcare team.

We have more information on how to find reliable health information online.